Summary

With more than 25 years professional experience serving Christian schools, Mark Spencer was appointed in a national policy role in 2010. Mark is responsible for advocacy on behalf of Christian schools in a wide range of educational policy as well as areas relating to religious freedom and equal opportunity and discrimination law, both at the Commonwealth and State or Territory level.

Mark’s experience with Christian schooling began in 1990 when he commenced service with Christian Community Schools Limited (CCSL) – a predecessor organisation to CSA. In addition to his advocacy role Mark also provides initial advice to schools in all non-educational operations including funding, finance, governance, management, media management and industrial relations.

Mark is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants after graduating with a Bachelor of Business degree with a major in accounting. He went on to complete a Master of Labour Relations and Law degree in 1999 and a Graduate Diploma in Legal Studies with a High Distinction average in 2016. Mark is also a Graduate member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, having undertaken the Company Directors Course in 2013. In 2014 he completed an executive education program at the Said Business School of the University of Oxford.

From 2009 – 2015 Mark was the Chairman of the Board of Christian Super having previously been a Trustee Director and Fund Secretary. He also has been Company Secretary of a number of organisations. In addition, Mark has also served Christian school boards in a variety of roles and also serves his church board. In his spare time, he has been involved in politics as a candidate, marginal seat campaign manager and party office holder.

Mark is married to Melanie, a Christian teacher and school leader. Mark and Melanie have one school age child with their eldest daughters having both graduated from Christian schools.